So far this year, 27 global M&A deals with a value greater than $10 billion have been announced, according to Dealogic. The combined volume of the deals is more than $700 billion. This activity surpasses the 25 large M&A transactions with a volume greater than $600 billion at this same point in 2007, the previous megadeal record holder.

Aquino ready for talks to allow Japan to use Philippines' military basesThe Philippines and Japan are to start talks on allowing Japanese military aircraft and naval vessels to use bases in the Philippines for refueling and picking up supplies, enabling them to extend their patrol range deep into the South China Sea, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said.More Wrenches into Iran-Nuke DealEven as the Saudi-Israeli alliance against Iran fuels Sunni jihadist gains in Syria and elsewhere, neocon operatives are pressing on another front, continuing to hurl wrenches into the final Iran-nuclear negotiations.

Obama's Big Lie on SyriaDespite the risk that Syria's Christians, Alawites and Shiites will be slaughtered by Sunni extremists, the Obama administration is backing the Saudi-Israeli demand for "regime change" in Damascus, including tweeting bogus accusations linking Syria's secular regime to ISIS.